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Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture: The Transforming Power of the Well-Spoken Word
How would your church be transformed if reading Scripture was a highlight of your services? Increasing the quantity and quality of Scripture-reading in your communal worship is a powerful way to reach the hearts of your congregation. Grounded in both solid theology and communication theory, "Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture" will teach readers how to present Scripture in a compelling way. The book's comprehensive approach includes everything from simple delivery skills to the history of public reading, how to build a culture that values public reading, group reading, and how to prepare yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for public reading.
The included DVD offers instruction, demonstration of the concepts and sample readings by Dr. Arthurs.
The included DVD offers instruction, demonstration of the concepts and sample readings by Dr. Arthurs.
137 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Jeffrey D. Arthurs
7 books2 followersJeffrey D. Arthurs (Ph.D., Purdue University) is professor of preaching and communication and dean of the chapel at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, S. Hamilton, Mass.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 12, 2025
This was a good book about the history and significance of publicly reading the Bible. There were lots of ideas and tips on doing this in a service. I felt like this might be a way to use my talent to serve the church, but it doesn’t seem to be used as much these days. It was a good look at using the different arts in the service.
June 22, 2020
We are commanded to read Scripture publicly (1 Tim. 4:13). Scripture reading is often the most boring part of the worship service, this should not be so. Practice, train, and improve your public reading.
This books help you to think about how to do this and how to lead others to read well.
This books help you to think about how to do this and how to lead others to read well.
March 21, 2013
"The Transforming Power of the Well-Spoken Word
"How would your church be transformed if reading Scripture was a highlight of your services? Increasing the quantity and quality of Scripture-reading in your communal worship is a powerful way to reach the hearts of your congregation.
Grounded in both solid theology and communication theory, Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture will teach readers how to present Scripture in a compelling way. The book's comprehensive approach includes everything from simple delivery skills to the history of public reading, how to build a culture that values public reading, group reading, and how to prepare yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for public reading.
The included DVD offers instruction, demonstration of the concepts and sample readings by Dr. Arthurs.” (From the Kregel Publications Website)
About the Author: “Jeffrey D. Arthurs (PhD., Purdue University) is associate professor of preaching and communication and dean of the chapel at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, S. Hamilton, Mass. He is an active scholar, regularly presenting papers at conferences and writing articles for several leading periodicals.” (From the Kregel Publishers Website).
My thoughts about the book: The well-prepared for, intentional and prominent public reading of Scripture in our churches in America for far too many churches has become a thing of the past; it being remembered as being a part of “the good old days” or “glory days” of the church. Tragically, it is one of the many things that has changed in the church by process of elimination with dire spiritual consequences. We have replaced the edification, encouragement, reproofs and rebukes of the reading of God’s Word with entertaining music and well planned, timed and staged theatrical presentations that include a “sermonette for Christianettes” that entertains and delights the crowds and keeps them coming back in large numbers for more (but is not leading to the conviction of sin, convincing of righteousness and repentance that results in transformed lives) as only the public reading of the Word of God and Biblical preaching can and will do. Woe! Woe, to the churches in America that has grievously sinned against God and His holy people and has done this.
Dr. Arthurs does an outstanding job of addressing the issue of the absolute necessity and importance of public reading of Scripture in our churches in his book. In his book he informs us why we should do it from a solidly Biblical position (citing Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments as well as referring to both ancient church tradition and that of the Reformation Services and Puritan Services in America); and how we should do it even providing some “sample scripts” for us to read. The book also comes with a DVD with very helpful tutorials concerning the public reading of Scripture in church.
If you are concerned about the glory of God, the exalting of his Holy Word and the fact that our churches in America return to its Biblical roots functioning again as New Testament Christ honoring churches should, then you will want to read this book. Then hopefully as a result you will take a very important and necessary step toward achieving that goal – and that is the public reading of Scripture in your church (if that is not being done) as well as in all of our “Christian” churches across America. May God have mercy and help us to do His will in regards to this matter.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications for the purpose of reviewing it. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
"How would your church be transformed if reading Scripture was a highlight of your services? Increasing the quantity and quality of Scripture-reading in your communal worship is a powerful way to reach the hearts of your congregation.
Grounded in both solid theology and communication theory, Devote Yourself to the Public Reading of Scripture will teach readers how to present Scripture in a compelling way. The book's comprehensive approach includes everything from simple delivery skills to the history of public reading, how to build a culture that values public reading, group reading, and how to prepare yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for public reading.
The included DVD offers instruction, demonstration of the concepts and sample readings by Dr. Arthurs.” (From the Kregel Publications Website)
About the Author: “Jeffrey D. Arthurs (PhD., Purdue University) is associate professor of preaching and communication and dean of the chapel at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, S. Hamilton, Mass. He is an active scholar, regularly presenting papers at conferences and writing articles for several leading periodicals.” (From the Kregel Publishers Website).
My thoughts about the book: The well-prepared for, intentional and prominent public reading of Scripture in our churches in America for far too many churches has become a thing of the past; it being remembered as being a part of “the good old days” or “glory days” of the church. Tragically, it is one of the many things that has changed in the church by process of elimination with dire spiritual consequences. We have replaced the edification, encouragement, reproofs and rebukes of the reading of God’s Word with entertaining music and well planned, timed and staged theatrical presentations that include a “sermonette for Christianettes” that entertains and delights the crowds and keeps them coming back in large numbers for more (but is not leading to the conviction of sin, convincing of righteousness and repentance that results in transformed lives) as only the public reading of the Word of God and Biblical preaching can and will do. Woe! Woe, to the churches in America that has grievously sinned against God and His holy people and has done this.
Dr. Arthurs does an outstanding job of addressing the issue of the absolute necessity and importance of public reading of Scripture in our churches in his book. In his book he informs us why we should do it from a solidly Biblical position (citing Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments as well as referring to both ancient church tradition and that of the Reformation Services and Puritan Services in America); and how we should do it even providing some “sample scripts” for us to read. The book also comes with a DVD with very helpful tutorials concerning the public reading of Scripture in church.
If you are concerned about the glory of God, the exalting of his Holy Word and the fact that our churches in America return to its Biblical roots functioning again as New Testament Christ honoring churches should, then you will want to read this book. Then hopefully as a result you will take a very important and necessary step toward achieving that goal – and that is the public reading of Scripture in your church (if that is not being done) as well as in all of our “Christian” churches across America. May God have mercy and help us to do His will in regards to this matter.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kregel Publications for the purpose of reviewing it. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
March 9, 2017
In this work, Jeffrey Arthurs calls for a greater devotion to the public reading of Scripture. He also provides practical insight on how one might improve his public reading of the Living Word. The book is divided into seven chapters. Each chapter compares the reading of the Word to partaking of a great feast. Readers will appreciate Arthur's approach. He challenges ministers to build an appetite, set the table, invite guests, and serve the meal of the bread of life. One of the more helpful and Biblical books I've read on the subject of public Scripture reading.
December 21, 2015
Jeffrey Arthurs addresses an issue often overlooked in Pastoral training and Homeletics specifically. Noting the usually perfunctory reading of the Scripture in corporate worship the author lays out his specific vision for the book by stating, “My vision is to increase the quantity and the quality of Scripture reading in church services.”
Jeffreys uses the imagery of “preparing, serving, and eating a meal in community” to structure his presentation. He begins by presenting five arguments for why this vision is important. He draws both on direct biblical support and cognitive learning theory in making his case. He identifies these as building an appetite. He then moves on to setting the table in Chapter 2 consisting of 7 ways the reader is to prepare themselves for the reading of Scripture. The following chapter turns the tables and addresses how to build an appetite among the people of God for the reading and hearing of the public reading of Scripture.
The final four chapters focus on the actual public reading of the Scripture from basic presentation techniques to creative ideas for individual and group reading. The author’s teachings in these sections are supported by a companion DVD where the author demonstrates his instructions.
There are two over ridding strengths of this book. The first is in Chapter 1, Building an Appetite. Even for the experienced Pastor to be reminded of the importance of the public reading of Scripture is extremely valuable. The second value is in stressing general presentation principles specifically in Chapters 4 and 5. The only caution to be exhibited in the book is shared by the author himself. When moving to creative methods in chapter 6 and 7 he comments, “None of the following should replace the standard ingredients discussed in previous chapters, but used judiciously they can add some zing.”
Jeffreys uses the imagery of “preparing, serving, and eating a meal in community” to structure his presentation. He begins by presenting five arguments for why this vision is important. He draws both on direct biblical support and cognitive learning theory in making his case. He identifies these as building an appetite. He then moves on to setting the table in Chapter 2 consisting of 7 ways the reader is to prepare themselves for the reading of Scripture. The following chapter turns the tables and addresses how to build an appetite among the people of God for the reading and hearing of the public reading of Scripture.
The final four chapters focus on the actual public reading of the Scripture from basic presentation techniques to creative ideas for individual and group reading. The author’s teachings in these sections are supported by a companion DVD where the author demonstrates his instructions.
There are two over ridding strengths of this book. The first is in Chapter 1, Building an Appetite. Even for the experienced Pastor to be reminded of the importance of the public reading of Scripture is extremely valuable. The second value is in stressing general presentation principles specifically in Chapters 4 and 5. The only caution to be exhibited in the book is shared by the author himself. When moving to creative methods in chapter 6 and 7 he comments, “None of the following should replace the standard ingredients discussed in previous chapters, but used judiciously they can add some zing.”
December 24, 2016
I've often wondered if we need more conversations about public Scripture reading in churches, and Arthurs presents a thoughtful, biblical and practical conversation-starter. He opens with a compelling case for the importance of public Scripture reading, including readings that are given their own space, rather than just as the sermon text. He then gives some valuable advice for readers to prepare themselves spiritually, mentally and emotionally for reading, rather than just improvising on the day. Most of the rest of the book discusses practical communication issues, of the kind that most preachers would be familiar with, but with specific application to reading Scripture.
There is a lot more that Arthurs could have said, but there was one gap that was particularly noticeable. At the end of the book, he introduces group-reading scripts with extra-biblical comment, but this kind of mixing of Scripture and non-Scripture had not really been discussed earlier in the book. I think a discussion of this would have been helpful, including more generally in terms of the history of "expositional readings" (e.g. Spurgeon).
I was also a bit disappointed by the bonus DVD. There was only one solo reading, and this did not demonstrate some of the questions of proxemics and movement that Arthurs had discussed. Additional readings, with different readers and in different settings, would have made the DVD more useful - perhaps also with some "worked exercises" connected with the book.
Overall, though, this would be a great book for church leaders to read, and then to share with readers in the church. If the Scriptures are God-breathed, we need to handle them well in all circumstances, and Arthurs does a good job of showing what this might look like in terms of public reading.
There is a lot more that Arthurs could have said, but there was one gap that was particularly noticeable. At the end of the book, he introduces group-reading scripts with extra-biblical comment, but this kind of mixing of Scripture and non-Scripture had not really been discussed earlier in the book. I think a discussion of this would have been helpful, including more generally in terms of the history of "expositional readings" (e.g. Spurgeon).
I was also a bit disappointed by the bonus DVD. There was only one solo reading, and this did not demonstrate some of the questions of proxemics and movement that Arthurs had discussed. Additional readings, with different readers and in different settings, would have made the DVD more useful - perhaps also with some "worked exercises" connected with the book.
Overall, though, this would be a great book for church leaders to read, and then to share with readers in the church. If the Scriptures are God-breathed, we need to handle them well in all circumstances, and Arthurs does a good job of showing what this might look like in terms of public reading.
February 23, 2013
Some very helpful points about reading (in general) that are applied to reading the Bible. However, he comes from a non-liturgical background. Thus many ideas, which are new to his basic audience< are part and parcel of a liturgical service (especially his chapter on “Adding Spice”). I think the best part was the section on “Serving the Meal: Communication with the Voice” in which he provides six aspects of voice. Each is important for improving the ability to communicate effectively.
January 7, 2014
Personally edifying and instructive. Every Lecture could benefit from using this resource.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews